Nahid Rana won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for April 2026 on Thursday. The right-arm fast bowler earned the prize after taking eight wickets during Bangladesh’s 2-1 ODI series victory against New Zealand.
Rana beat Oman batter Jatinder Singh and Ajay Kumar of the UAE to secure the trophy. He becomes the first Bangladesh men’s player to win the monthly ICC honour since Mehidy Hasan Miraz in April 2025.
“It’s a great feeling to be named the ICC Player of the Month after performing well against a world-class side like New Zealand,” Rana said. “To deliver on home soil made the series even more special and it was a series that I will always cherish.”
These performances establish Rana as the spearhead of a developing home pace attack. He leads a unit that now challenges the traditional reliance on spin in Bangladesh conditions.
Rana also thanked his colleagues. “I’m grateful to my team-mates for their constant support and belief in me throughout. I hope to keep contributing to more victories and memorable moments for my team.”
His words reflect the team’s faith in his ability. Rana rewarded that patience after he conceded 65 runs for just one wicket in the series opener at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on 17 April.
He found his rhythm in the second match at Mirpur. Rana claimed 5-32, including two wickets in the Powerplay, as New Zealand folded for 198. He took two further wickets in the decider at Chattogram to seal the 2-1 series victory and earn the Player of the Series award.
Rana finished the three matches with an average of 16.75 and an economy rate of 4.46. This successful month follows an eight-wicket haul against Pakistan in March. Bangladesh continue to build their fast-bowling options around Rana ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup cycle.
